Report Waterfowl Bands With A Free Phone Call Or On-Line

LEWISTON - With Idaho's waterfowl season in full swing, hunters should remember to report bird bands if they harvest a bird wearing one of the metal tags. Waterfowl hunters can report banded ducks and geese 24 hours a day by calling (800) 327-BAND (2263). An operator will ask for the band number and how, when and where it was recovered. Callers will receive a Certificate of Appreciation with information on the bird's age and where it was banded. Hunters can keep the bands. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Habitat Biologist Miles Benker said whether hunters use the toll-free number or mail in the bands, the important thing is to get the information reported. "Band recovery information is critical to waterfowl management," Benker noted. "Band information helps determine migration routes, production of young, survival and even harvest rates." Hunters can also report bands on-line by visiting the Bird Banding Laboratory website at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl.